Dragon Pit BBQ expands to Downtown Racine with full dine-in experience
RACINE, WI — Dragon Pit BBQ has relocated to a storefront in Downtown Racine with plans to open within the next few weeks, building on the local pop-up and food truck's growing success.
Previously operating out of The Branch at 1501 with carryout only, Racine native, owner, and chef Emerson Holliday is excited to see what the future holds for this new chapter of his business.
Dragon Pit BBQ specializes in slow-smoked, wood-fired, traditional barbeque dinners, sandwiches, and southern comfort food. The menu also features southern breakfast, fried chicken sandwiches, gumbo, joloff rice, and homemade sides. The new restaurant is opening in the building that formerly housed Roberta, 322 6th St., Racine, WI 53403.
"I've always loved cooking barbeque in general," Holliday said. "I think it's kind of that natural thing for me. My dad and granddad used to barbecue a lot."
How Dragon Pit BBQ BeganHolliday is a self-taught chef with 15-plus years in the food-service industry. He has cooked and managed various styles of restaurants in the area. Before starting Dragon Pit BBQ in June 2020, he was a cook at Maple Table in Downtown Racine.
When the pandemic hit, Holliday decided to step away from Maple Table to offer other workers more hours and figure out his plan.
He invested in a smoker and dove head first into opening Dragon Pit BBQ. He started cooking out of The Branch at 1501, a shared kitchen. Holliday started utilizing the space every other week. At the same time, he began bringing his pop-up tent to different events around Racine.
Over time, he gained more hours at The Branch and expanded his following.
"It just kept growing that way," Holliday said. "It just kind of didn't stop."
Social Media Helped Drive InterestHolliday's use of social media played a big role in the growth of Dragon Pit BBQ's exposure. Posting almost daily on Facebook , Instagram , and TikTok , with menu features, business updates, and all things barbeque.
"He posts in the morning and people come in and say 'I want this' and show me the picture," said Tamara Rybarik, colleague and significant other.
Rybarik has a background in accounting. When she and Holliday got together, she jumped in and started helping with the business.
This April, the business invested in a food truck that they took around to beer gardens, harbor markets, festivals, and catering for private events. This mobile venture gave Holliday even greater visibility that built deeper connections with local residents.
Recently, Holiday realized his business was getting too big for the current circumstances. If he wanted to continue growing, he needed to look at other locations in the area.
"Once the spot became available, I said 'We need to do it now,'" Holliday remembered. "It was kind of divine intervention."
Now HiringThe new restaurant is currently hiring new employees and obtaining a liquor license for the full in-house bar. Once opened, diners can expect a "business casual barbeque" vibe.
"I don't want you to feel like you have to be fancy because it's barbeque," Holliday said. "But I do want people who want to go somewhere nice to feel like they can wear nice clothes or just have a good cocktail."
Holliday and Rybarik explained how excited their regulars are about the new storefront.
"The community response has just been overwhelming," Holliday said. "Even the business owners in the area have been welcoming us and asking, 'What can we do to help you?'"
In 2021, Dragon Pit BBQ was featured in the Racine County Eye Business Spotlight .
Dragon Pit BBQ will be the only downtown barbeque restaurant. Holiday has lived in Racine for his entire life and is excited to bring a new barbeque dining option to his hometown.
"I really love supporting my city," Holliday said. "I really love the food in this area. I think we have some of the best cooks and some of the best people in the city. I really just want to contribute to that and have another place for outsiders to come visit."
To stay updated on the restaurant's grand opening, menu, and catering, tune in on Dragon Pit BBQ social media or visit their website .
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